NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Halfback Tunde Ogun scored the winning touchdown with a three yard run in Christopher Newport University’s 23-17 victory over visiting Rowan University.

The scoring drive started on the CNU 35 yard line after linebacker Alex Blan recovered a Rowan fumble.  Ogun also carried the ball four yards in the previous play before he scored with 2:04 left in the game.  The Profs were stopped on their last two drives when quarterback Joe Rankin was intercepted twice by strong safety Matt Long.

Ogun finished the game with 55 yards on 21 carries and two TDs.  Quarterback Todd Faison threw for 163 yards with 13 completions in 27 attempts.  Kicker Jay Graham recorded three field goals - 37, 29 and 19 yards.  Wide receiver Jesse Bradshaw totaled 84 yards with five catches.

For Rowan, wide receiver Davon Edwards (jr. Whitesboro, NJ/Middle Twp.) scored two touchdowns with a 67 yard run and a 25 yard reception.  Kicker Dan Roberts (sr. Eastampton, NJ/Hamilton W.) had a 23 yard field goal. Wide receiver Mark Lisa (fr. Highland Lakes, NJ/Vernon Twp.) logged 47 yards with five catches.  Rankin (sr. Toms River, NJ/Toms River N.) completed 18 of 35 pass attempts for 166 yards.   

Long led the Captains’ defense with 11 tackles, three interceptions and four pass breakups.  Tackle Trevor Wagner followed with 11 tackles while linebacker Adrin Diggs had seven.

Linebacker Chris Pinto (jr. Barnegat, NJ/Southern Reg.) recorded 11 tackles for the Profs.  Linebacker Andrew Yezzi (so. Franklinville, NJ/Delsea Reg.) contributed with eight tackles and Chris Niszczak (sr. Sewell, NJ/Washington Twp.) followed with seven.  Outside linebacker Daniel Hopkins (fr. Jackson, NJ/Jackson Mem.) posted one interception. 

Rowan was ahead 14-10 after the first half.  Roberts made the score 17-10 with a 23 yard field goal in the third quarter (10:03).  The drive took 14 plays and covered 56 yards.  Graham pulled CNU within one point by kicking a 29 yard field goal (4:01) and a 19 yarder (1:22).  The second field goal drive started on the Rowan 30 when Long had his first interception of the game.

In the first quarter, Edwards scored on the Profs’ initial drive of four plays and 77 yards.  His 67 yard TD run came on a reverse at 13:59.  Graham kicked his first field goal of 37 yards in the second quarter at 14:12.  Ogun gave the Captains a 10-7 lead with a four yard carry for a touchdown with 8:59 remaining in the second stanza.  Edwards put Rowan back on top (14-10) with a 25 yard pass from Rankin at 3:55.  Hopkins had a two yard interception return that started the scoring drive on the CNU 46 yard line.    

The Profs have a bye week before they take to the road again.  Rowan travels to Wilkes University on Saturday, September 15 for a 1 p.m. game.